Brick-machine.



PATEWNT'BD JAN. 13, 1903.

0. E. HENDRICKS.- BRICK MACHINE. APPLICATION PIILED A2123, 1902.

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PATENTED JAN; 13, 1903.

0.- B. HENDRICKS. BRICK MACHINE.

APPLIGA TION FILED APR. 23, 1902.

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APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 190-2.

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0. E. HENDRICKS. BRICK MACHINE. APPLICATION Hum APR. 23, 1902.

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CLARENCE E. HENDRICKS, OE DENVER, COLORADO.

BRICK-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,123, dated. January 13, 1903. Application filed April 23, 1902. erial No. 104,359. (No model.)

T0 at whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE.E. HEN- lowing to be afull, clear, and exact descripe tion of the invention, such as .willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference be ing had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification. 1

This invention relates to improvements in brick-machines.

The object of the invention is to provide a machine of this character whereby each Operation in the production of the bricks is effected automatically, and to this end I em ploy a suitably constructed frame to the rear side of which is journaled a pair of large gear-wheels, which revolve in unison and are operated by a pair of pinions in connection with any suitable source of power, the said gear-wheels being provided with cams, which engage suitable levers, one of which Operates a sliding feed-box,by means of which the damp clay or pug is conveyed to the moldpug at every rearward movement, while a pair of levers,operating in unison, effect the movement of the mold-box at a predetermined time and free the same fromxthe pressed bricks. A toggle lever, Operated by the aforesaid gear-wheels, reciprocates aset of upper and lower dies, by which the bricks are given an even pressure On both sides simultaneously.

Another object of the invention is to provide a regulating device which can be set to regulate the amount of pug which enters the mold-box, and the invention further consists in the novel construction and combination of parts, as will be set forth in the accompanying specification and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanyingdrawings, Figure 1 is a side elevationof the improved brick-machine, the upper die being shown in dotted lines at the limit of its upward movement position. sectional view taken centrally of the machine.

and the other parts in their proper relative Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal Fig. 3 is a front elevation thereof, the parts being in the same position shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the mechanism directly connected with the pressing of the bricks, the same being shown detached from the frame of the machine; and Fig. 6 is a sectional view in perspective, illustrating the mold and the upper and lower dies in the position they assume when the bricks are pressed.

Referring tothe accompanying drawings, the letter A designates the frame of the machine, which may be constructed substantially as shown in the drawings and comthe frame and on-the inner side of each upright constituting the same are secured bearings or guides 5, two of which are secured to each upright, and in these guides are retained the vertical members 6 of a yoke shaped frame 7, the said members 6 being connected at their upper ends by a horizontal member 8. .The yoke-frame 7 has a slight vertical movement in its guides 5,.as will hereinafter appear. Upon the horizontal member 8 of the yoke-frame is secured, so as to have a swinging movement thereon, a pair of arms 9, which constitute the upper section of a toggle-lever 10. A bolt 11 passes through the lower ends of the arms 9 and through the upper ends of a similar pair of arms 12, which constitute the lower section Of the toggle-lever 10. The lower ends of the arms 12 are pivoted to brackets 13 by a bolt 14, which passes through the brackets and arms and 1 through a sleeve 15, which serves to holdthe arms apart, the said bracket 13 being bolted to a vertically-movable but horizontally-disposed guide-board 16, to the under side of which are secured the upper dies 17. Each end of the guide-board 16 is provided with an aperture through which one of the vertical members 6 of the yoke-frame 7 passes, and by this arrangement the guide-board in its reciprocations is limited to a true vertical movement, as will be understood.

Upon the bolt 11 and between the upper ends of the toggle-arms 12 is a cross-head 18, to which is secured the front ends of a pair of connecting-rods 19, the rear ends of which are bolted to a cross-head 20, which is secured upon the wrist-pin 4, which connects the gear-wheels 1, as hereinbefore mentioned. Thus as the gear-wheels turn the wrist-pin 4 will operate the connecting-rods 19, which in turn operate the toggle-lever 10, which cffects the reciprocation of the guide-board 16, carrying the die 17, as will be understood by reference to the drawings. The dies 17 when at the limit of their downward movement are designed to enter brick-molds 21, formed in the mold-box 22, which is suspended in a proper position relative to the limit of movement of the said dies, as shown. The moldbox 22 is made up of an upper and lower section, the upper section being shorter than the lower section and is bolted thereto. The lower section is provided at each end with a vertical hole, through which passes one of the vertical members 6 of the yoke-frame 7, the mold-box being thereby limited to a true vertical movement, as will hereinafter appear.

Near each end of the lower section of the mold-box is secured a bracket 23, to each of which is pivoted the lower end of a supporting-rod 24,which rods extend upward through slots 25 in the guide-board 16 and are pivotally connected at their upper ends to a pair of levers 26. As shown in the drawings, the rods 24 are provided at each end with a bifurcated clip 24*, which are screwed upon the said rods, and thus provide for either lengthening or shortening the distance between their connection with brackets 23 and levers 26, so that a proper adjustment of the rods with-relation to the movement of the levers 26 may be obtained. Jam-nuts 24 may be screwed against the clips 24 to preserve the desired adjustment. The levers 26 extend rearward from the upper ends of rods 24 to a point on a line with the centers of the gearwheels 1 and are arranged to lie each on the outside of one of the said wheels. lentrally these levers are fulcrumed upon a shaft 27, which is secured upon the top of the frame A, as shown, and their rear ends are each provided with an antiiriction-roller 28,which lies within the cam-groove 29 of a cam-disk 30, secured to the outside of the gear-wheels 1. The cams are identical in form and are timed to move both of the levers 26 in unison. The cams 30, levers 26, and rods 24 operate to move the mold-box downward at a predetermined time to free the same from the pressed bricks, as will hereinafter fully appear. I

To the rear of the mold-box 22 and just above the same is a hopper 31, which receives the damp clay or pug, and beneath this hopper moves a sliding feed-box 32, which conveys the pug from the hopper to the moldboX. The feed-box is of the same width as the hopper and is of such a length that a portion of it is always beneath the same. To one side of the feed-box is pivoted a pitman 33, the rear end of which is in pivotal engagement with the lower end of a lever 34, which is centrally fulcrumed to the rear of one of the uprights of the frame A, so as have a rocking movement. The upper end of this lever is provided with an antifriction-roller 35, which lies in the cam-groove 36 of a camdisk 37, rigidly secured upon the outer end of the stub-shaft 2 of one of the gear-wheels 1. The cam 37, lever 34, and pitman 33 operate to move the feed-box 32 forward at a predetermined time to deliver a charge of pug to the mold-box 22 and to withdraw the said feed-box when the charge has been delivered. The forward end of the feed-box 32 is provided with-brick-shaped compartments 38, which extend through the same and which when the said Do): is at the limit of its forward movement will register with the brickmolds 21 in the mold box 22. Thus when the feed-box is moved rearward the compartments 38 will come beneath the hopper 31 and will be filled with pug, and when the said feedbox reaches the limit of its forward movement its compartments will register with the brick-molds 21, as before stated, and its charge of pug will be delivered to the said molds, and any amount of pug in excess of that required for each brick will be withdrawn or scraped from the top of the mold as the feed-box moves rearward again. The gear-wheels and cams move in unison, as will be understood from the foregoing description, and at each revolution of the wheels the molds are charged with pug, the dies operate to press the same, after which the bricks are discharged from the said molds, the whole operation being automatic.

Near the lower end of the yoke-frame 7 and secured upon the same by jam-nuts 39 is a cross-piece 40, having secured upon its forward edge a lug 41, which is provided with a threaded vertical aperture, into which is screwed a rod 42, having a hand-wheel 43 at its upper end. Below the lug 41 the rod 42 passes through the forward end of a supporting-arm 44, which is hinged in any suitable manner at its rear end, either to the frame A or to a support secured to the base upon which the machine is secured. The forward end of arm 44 is normally held up by a helical spring 45, which surrounds the lower portion of the rod 42 and is retained upon the same by a nut and washer, as shown. The

arm 44 is prevented excessive upward movement by a nut 46, which is screwed upon the ICC .form 50, to which is secured the die 47.

rod 42 and against which the arm abuts. Upon the arm 44 rests the support for the lower set of dies 47. This support comprises a pair of metal strips 48, which rest directly upon arm '44 and which carry at their ends a pair of rectangular frames 49, to the upper horizontal member ofwhich is bolted a plat- This platform 50 is provided at each end with a hole, through which passes one of the vertical members 6 of yoke-frame 7. The members 6 thus form a guide for the platform 50 and prevent the dies 47 from getting out of line with the molds 21 in the mold-box 22. It will be noted that the platform lies slightly above the cross piece and that the frames 49 surround the said cross-piece and extend above and below the same, thus permitting the platform to move vertically both up and down. By supporting the lower dies in the manner shown and described their position with relation to the mold-box 22 may be varied by manipulating the, rod 42, which will raise or lower the forward end of arm 44, upon which the die-support rests, and raise or lower the platform 50, as may be desired. When the platform is raised, the dies 47 will be moved up in the brick-molds 21, the depths of which molds will thus be diminished, and they will consequently hold less pug; but when the platform is lowered the die will be partially withdrawn from the molds, which will then be increased in depth and will therefore hold more pug. When the upper and lower dies reach the limit of their lower and upper movements, respectively, the space between them is always equal to the standard thickness of a brick. Thus when the platform has been raised to diminish the depth of the molds 21, which will therefore hold less pug, the brick produced will be lighter in weight and less dense; but when the platform has been lowered to increase the depth of the molds, which will then hold more pug, the brick produced will be heavier and more dense. Thus by turning rod 42 either to raise or lower platform 50 a brick of any desired weight or density may be produced. When the molds 21 have been charged and the upper dies descend, the pressure on the pug will cause the platform 50 to descend against the action of spring 45 until the said platform rests upon the cross-piece 40, and as the toggle-lever 10 assumes the position when its arms stand vertical an upward pressure will be exerted upon the yoke-frame 7, causing the same to be slightly raised, which movement raises the lower dies, thus effecting a pressure upon the lower side of the brick simultaneous with that exerted upon the upper side thereof. The mold-box 22,

through its connection with cams 30, is then caused to descend, when the bricks will be ejected therefrom by the lower dies and may be removed.

The main gear-wheels 1 are driven by a pair of pinions A, which are operated by a similar pair of pinions 1 mounted on a shaft 1, having bearings at the rear of the frame A. The shaft 1 carries a pulley 1, by which power from any suitable source may be transmitted to the main gear-wheels.

The operation of this machine is as follows: The hopper 31 is filled with pug and the machine set in motion. As the gearwheels 1 revolve cam 37 operates on lever 34 and its lower end is moved forward. This movement is communicated to pitman 33, the forward end of which is in pivotal engagement with the feed-box 32, and the said feed-box is carried forward from beneath the hopper and deposits aeharge of pug in the molds of the mold-box 22, the mold-box having been raised to the proper level through themedium of rods 24, levers 26, and cams 30. The connecting-rods 19, through their engagement with wrist-pin 4, at the same time act upon toggle 10, which raises the upper dies 17. The dies 17 remain elevated only while the wristpin is passing the dead-center, when they immediately begin to descend. During their-descent the feed-box 32 is drawn rearward beneath the hopper and receives a fresh charge of pug. The dies 17.now enter the molds 21, and as the pug is pressed down against the lower dies 47 the platform 50, to which they are attached, is pushed down against the action of spring 45 until it rests upon the cross-piece 40, and as the toggle-lever 10 assumes a vertical position or as its arms approach a straight line it will exert an upward pressure on the yoke-frame 7, which will lift the same a slight distance. The cross-piece 40, which is secured to the yoke-frame and upon which the platform 50 now rests, will be lifted, with the said yokeframe, and the lower dies 47 will thereby act, in conjunction with the upper dies 17, to compress the pug and form a brick of the desired weight and density. As the dies 17 begin to ascend the mold-110x22, through its connection with cams 30, will be moved downward over the lower dies 47, which dies will consequently push the bricks out at the top of the mold-box, whence they can be removed.

The machine as illustrated may be moditied in many particulars without departing from the scope of my invention. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited to the precise construction shown.

Having thus fullydescribed myinventiou, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Inabrick-machine,thecombination with a main frame and operating-gears, of a vertically-disposed yoke-frame in movable engagement with the said main frame; a verticallymovable mold-box having guideways which engage the said yoke-frame; means for supporting the said mold-box and for moving the same so as to cause the bricks to be ejected therefrom, consisting of vertical supporting-rods, horizontally-disposed levers to which said rods are attached, and cams secured to the operating-gears which engage the rear ends of said levers; upper dies which are secured to a reciprocating guide having ways which engage the yoke-frame; a togglelever pivotally connected to the said guide and to the yoke-frame, and means, connected with the operating-gears for operating the said toggle, a cross piece secured to the lower end of the yoke-frame provided on one side with a lug having a threaded, vertical hole; a threaded rod which is screwed into the said hole, and is encircled by a helical spring near its lower end; a supporting-arm, the forward end of which is in sliding engagement with the said rod, and rests upon the said spring, and means for limiting the upward movement thereof; a die-supporting frame supported upon the said arm, and a platform having guideways which engage the yoke-frame, secured to the said die-supporting frame, the said platform having a set of dies upon its upperside, which act in conjunction with the before-mentioned dies to press the clay in the mold-box, the aforesaid threaded rod being turned to raise or lower the arm upon which the die-supporting frame rests, so as to regulate the amount of pug which enters the mold-box; a hopper, a feedslide below said hopper, and means for reciprocating the same, substantially as shown.

2. Inabrickmachine,the combination with a main frame and operating-gears, of a vertically-disposed yoke-frame, in movable engagement with thesaid main frame; upper and lower dies attached to guide-plates which are in sliding engagement with the yokeframe; a cross-piece secured to the lower end of the said yoke-frame below the lower guideplate; a supporting-arm below the said crosspiece in yielding engagement therewith; a frame supported upon said arm to which the lower guide-plate is secured and means connected with the said cross-piece for raising and lowering the said frame and guide-plate; a vertically-movable mold-box in sliding engagement with the yoke-frame, the said box being located so that the lower dies project into and form a bottom for its molds; means for suspending the said mold-box and for moving it downward at a predetermined time so as to cause the bricks to be ejected therefrom, consisting of rods from which it is suspended, levers to which the rods are attached, and cams secured to the operatinggears which engage the ends of said levers; a hopper, a feed-slide below the said hopper and means for operating the same; and a toggle connected to the upper guide-plate and to the yoke-frame and means for operating the same, the said toggle causing the upper dies to move downward into the mold-box until the pressure upon the clay therein will force the lower dies and guide-plate down upon the cross-piece, when the pressure will be exerted in the opposite direction, and the yoke-frame will be raised, forcing the lower dies up against the under side of the brick, substantially as described.

3. In abrick-machine,the combination with a main frame, of operating gear-wheels journaled therein, each having a cam upon its outer side, the said cams being similar; centrally-fulcrumed levers, the rear ends of which are engaged by the said cams, while their forward ends are each in pivotal connection with a depending rod; a verticallymovable mold-box having guideways, which is suspended from the ends of said rods; a vertically-movable yoke-frame upon which the said mold-box slides, the said yoke-frame being engaged by one member of a togglelever at its upper end and having a pug-supply-regulating device secured to its lower end; dies connected with the said regulating device which normally lie partially within the lower side of the said mold-box; dies secured to theother member of the said togglelever, which are positioned to enter the moldbox from the upper side, and means for operating the said toggle-lever; a hopper; a feed-slide located beneath the hopper, and means for reciprocating the same, substantially as shown.

4. In a brick-machine,the combination with a main frame, having operatingears, and a vertically-movable yoke-frame, of dies secured to a guide-plate which slides upon the said yoke-frame; supports for the said guideplate and dies; an arm upon which the supports rest; a cross-piece secured upon the yoke-frame below the guide-plate; a vertically-disposed adjustable rod in threaded engagement with the said cross-piece, upon which the forward end of the said arm slides; the said rod having a spring at its lower end upon which the said arm rests, the said rod being designed to effect the vertical movement of the guide-plate and dies; a verticallymovable mold-box into which the said dies normally project, and means for supporting and moving the same; dies which enter the said mold-box from above, and means for operating the same and for exerting an upward pressure upon the said yoke-frame, so as to lift the same, and parts carried thereby, substantially as shown.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CLARENCE E. HENDRICKS. Witnesses:

F. S. COOPER, G. SARGENT ELLIOTT.

IIO 

